Take it Outside-  You’ll love the way you feel!

         Free Mountain Bike Skills Clinic!

Malibu Creek State Park- 

Held the first Saturday of each month

 from 8:45am to 1pm.  

(This event is sponsored by CORBA.  No reservations are necessary.) 

“Mountain biking is a lot like tennis or skiing. Just a few minor adjustments in technique can make a huge difference in your control and proficiency. If you want to get better faster, you need to know the fundamentals of mountain biking technique. Whether you're just getting into mountain biking or have been riding for years, you'll learn some valuable tips from our ‘Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills Clinic’ that is offered each month.”

Some of the skills to be covered will be: proper seated rider position, controlled braking and slow speed technical maneuvering, pedaling cadence/gear use, and proper riding position and technique for climbing and descending.

Get full details and directions on CORBA’s website: www.corbamtb.com

         Charmlee Wilderness Park Family Hike:- Saturday, May 28th from 10am-11:30am.  This is a great hike to bring the whole family along on! The trail features gently rolling hills, wildflower filled meadows, shady oak groves, and incredible ocean views. The hike is about 2.5 miles long with plenty of options to make it shorter, or add some detours to create a longer, more challenging hike.  It should take us about 1 to 1.5 hours and there are several  places at the park to enjoy a family picnic.  There is also a Nature Center and  full bathrooms available! Please RSVP by Thursday 5/26 if you would like to join us. (805-796-3119 or email debbie@beyondthegym.com) 

      Lake Casitas Family Kayak & Picnic!  Saturday June 12th

Back by popular demand...Our 3rd Annual Father’s Day Family Kayak Trip!  This fun family adventure is a great way to celebrate an early Father’s Day with an afternoon of fun in the sun!

We will start the day at approximately 9:30am kayaking on beautiful Lake Casitas, near Ojai. It will be a 1 1/2 to 2 hour guided kayak paddle (with instruction- no kayaking experience necessary!).  We’ll be crossing the lake and hugging the shoreline of the island- paddling at a leisurely pace to allow time to look for birds and wildlife and to enjoy the calm morning water.  After our kayak we will have a tasty kid-friendly picnic lunch on the shores of the lake, followed by an afternoon of Frisbee and other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy… or you can just relax in the sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery! We should complete our picnic early enough to allow you some time to explore the quaint shops and art galleries of Ojai. 

Please contact me by Tuesday, 6/07 if you’re interested in joining us on this fun family adventure!  This trip is suitable for children 6 and over (with an adult in a double kayak) and is great chance to introduce kids to the wonders of nature and a fun new activity!  This relaxing trip is also the perfect opportunity for people who are new to kayaking to experience a fun, adventurous excursion at a more leisurely pace. 

        PRICING:

         1) Kayak & Picnic (adults)  $75.00*   

         2) Children (in a shared kayak)  $30.00

 

There are both single and double sit-on top kayaks available; Please specify your preference when you make your reservation.  (*If two adults are sharing a double kayak, the second person would be $10.00 less.)

If you have any questions about this trip just call or email me. Please feel free to invite any interested friends along!

Click here to see pictures from previous trips!

Event Calendar Spring 2011

         Lang Ranch Open Space Loop- Saturday, April 30th from 9:30am-11:00am.  This rolling hike is about 4.5 miles long and leaves from the end of Lang Ranch Parkway. You’ll loop down through oak groves and then up to incredible views across the west end of Simi Valley and Sunset Hills. The trail is mostly well groomed fire road, so it’s nice and open, providing a smooth stumble-free hike, which allows you the chance to enjoy the views!  Click here to see pictures from this trail.  Please RSVP to Debbie by Wednesday, 4/28, if you would like to join us. (805-796-3119 or emaildebbie@beyondthegym.com)

         Backbone Trail Hike- Saturday, May 7th from 9:30am-11am.  This hike leaves from the main trailhead off Kanan Road and follows the Backbone Trail as it winds along ridges and drops into oak shaded canyons.  On a clear day you can enjoy beautiful ocean views from several points along this rolling 5 mile out & back trail.  Please RSVP to Debbie by Thursday 5/05 if you would like to join us. (805-796-3119 or email debbie@beyondthegym.com)  Be sure to invite any family or friends who would like to come along on this beautiful hike!

       Upcoming Running & Cycling Events:

Malibu Creek Challenge Trail Run: Saturday, May 7th, Malibu, CA.  This event takes place in beautiful Malibu Creek State Park and features two very different races. There’s a 6k run, which is a great introductory trail run with single track and fire road trails and then for you hardcore trail runners, there’s a 22k event that climbs up to Bulldog Motorway- an intense climb!- but is followed by some of the most amazing scenery in Malibu.  All participants get a cool race T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and a hot breakfast “with all the fixing's.” For more details on this and other XTERRA trail runs, visit Trailrace.com.

Great Western Bike Century & Metric Century: Sunday, May 29th, Paso Robles, CA.  Enjoy the incredible scenery that surrounds Paso Robles by bicycle!  With a mixture of country roads, long hill climbs on Highway 46 and ocean breezes along Highway 1, this is a beautiful yet challenging ride. For more details, course descriptions and registration, visit Greatwesternbicyclerally.com  (This is the metric century ride that I did last year and I HIGHLY recommend it!  Most of the ride is on back country roads through the rolling hills surrounding Paso Robles- Just beautiful!!  Celebrating your success at one of the local wineries is a very nice bonus! If you would like to ask me about my experience to see if this is the race for you, just give me a call or send me an email!)

Senior Concerns Love Run:   Sunday, June 5th- Westlake Village      5K & 10K Run/Walk & Kids 1 Mile Fun Run.   The 18th annual Love Run raises money for the Senior Concerns ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, which provides meals for seniors who cannot cook or shop for themselves. The race is on a flat course around the lake in Westlake Village.  For more details & registration, visit their website at Seniorconcerns.org

Breath of Life Triathlon: Sunday, June 26th, Ventura, CA.  I did this triathlon in 2006 and it was an incredible experience!  It’s a good event to try if you’re new to the sport- the ocean swim is only 400 meters and the bike and run courses are flat and fast! They offer both a Sprint and Olympic distance race: For more details and registration, visit TriforLife2011.com.

Strawberry Fields Triathlon: July 16 & 17th, Oxnard, CA.  This event offers both a Sprint and Olympic distance race, a Duathon (bike and run only) and a Youth and Junior distance event. For more details, course descriptions and registration click here.

Beyond the Gym can help get you across that finish line with training programs and customized strength sessions to help you build the endurance and speed you'll need on race day!  Contact Debbie to help you choose an event and to design a training program that fits with your schedule.

New trips are added all the time, plus trip dates and locations are subject to change, so sign up for our Events newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!!

         Mishe Mokwa Hike- Saturday, June 4th, 10am-1:00pm                      This hike is a 6 mile loop featuring an incredible variety of terrain and amazing views across the Santa Monica Mountains and out to the Channel Islands!  This is a more challenging hike with several long inclines, but the views are worth every step!!  You will have a chance to stand on Sandstone Peak; the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and enjoy views usually reserved for the magnificent hawks that circle overhead.  We will be taking a break in a shady oak grove at the base of the canyon, so make sure to bring along an energizing snack!  Please RSVP to Debbie by Wednesday 6/01 to get directions and more details.  Click here to see more pictures from this unique hike!